“I am honored to have received the first national endorsement in this race,” Sund said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “This NWPC endorsement, along with the incredible grassroots effort we have mounted in the third, will help us defeat Erik Paulsen in November. It takes means, money, and people power to defeat an entrenched incumbent. I am also humbled to have the most grassroots contributors in this race for endorsement.”

“Brian Barnes is focused on the issues that are important to the people in his district,” Andy Snope, Political Coordinator of IBEW Local 292, said in a statement. “He is all about creating an economic recovery that works for all Minnesotans. That means a highly trained and educated workforce, the best infrastructure, research and innovation, workers rights, fair trade and fair taxes.”

The dueling endorsements set the stage for the district convention this weekend, when DFL delegates will make their own endorsement. The convention starts at 11 a.m. Saturday at Valley View Middle School in Edina.